Anniversary of JFK’s Death kicks off library's Community Conversations

By Jacob Fuller

Published: Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 04:52 PM.

The Destin Library will begin a series called Community Conversations Thursday with a discussion entitled "Where were you the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated?"

Director Jurate Burns said it will be the first of a series of conversations the library will host the first, second and fourth Thursdays of each month. While the topic for the first discussion was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas, Burns said citizens and participants will decide future subjects.

"We wanted to engage the community on a casual basis to discuss issues that are important to them," Burns told The Log. "This is your chance to talk about neighborhood issues, city issues, statewide issues, affordable healthcare, whatever it is that is a concern. Hopefully there will be people from both sides of the fence."

The goal is not to create political debates, Burns said, but to help Destin residents with different views come together, get to know each other and be "better neighbors."

When possible, Burns hopes to get experts on the subject involved in each conversation to answer questions people may have. For example, if the discussion is about local zoning laws, the library would try to get someone from the city's community development division.

"It's going to take a while to grow this effort, but I think it's going to be worth while," Burns said.

The library will provide coffee for the events. The first conversation will begin Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Destin Library and last about two hours. Following discussions will take place at the same time on the first, second and fourth Thursdays on each month.

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The Destin Library will begin a series called Community Conversations Thursday with a discussion entitled "Where were you the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated?"

Director Jurate Burns said it will be the first of a series of conversations the library will host the first, second and fourth Thursdays of each month. While the topic for the first discussion was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas, Burns said citizens and participants will decide future subjects.

"We wanted to engage the community on a casual basis to discuss issues that are important to them," Burns told The Log. "This is your chance to talk about neighborhood issues, city issues, statewide issues, affordable healthcare, whatever it is that is a concern. Hopefully there will be people from both sides of the fence."

The goal is not to create political debates, Burns said, but to help Destin residents with different views come together, get to know each other and be "better neighbors."

When possible, Burns hopes to get experts on the subject involved in each conversation to answer questions people may have. For example, if the discussion is about local zoning laws, the library would try to get someone from the city's community development division.

"It's going to take a while to grow this effort, but I think it's going to be worth while," Burns said.

The library will provide coffee for the events. The first conversation will begin Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Destin Library and last about two hours. Following discussions will take place at the same time on the first, second and fourth Thursdays on each month.